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Menards recently reached a $4.25 million multistate settlement resolving claims of the company misleading consumers with marketing for the Menards 11% Rebate Program.
The settlement includes accusations from attorneys general from 10 states, including Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
“An ad that says ‘11% OFF EVERYTHING’ clearly implies that you can buy goods at an 11% discount, not that you can participate in a limited rebate program or get in-store credit for future purchases,” says Keith Ellison, Minnesota’s attorney general. “Today’s settlement holds Menards accountable for how they advertised their rebate program in the past and ensures that program will be more honest in the future. Furthermore, it is disappointing that Menards took advantage of the fear and uncertainty during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to jack up prices on consumers, so we are holding them accountable for that as well.”
Menards has agreed to multiple terms and policy changes as part of the deal, including clearly and conspicuously disclosing material limitations of the rebate program and disclosing all applicable terms, allowing customers at least one year from the date of purchase to submit a rebate claim and a prohibition from engaging in price gouging during a period of abnormal economic disruption. Read the full settlement document here.
